Detachable heel



July 9, 1946. A. FISK 2,403,592

DETACHABLE HEEL Filed Oct. 17, 1944 VENTOR. flrf/zur 15/1;

ATTORNEYS Patented July 9, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DETACHABLE HEEL Arthur Fisk, New York, N. Y., assignor of one-half to Bradley Mahler, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 17, 1944, Serial No. 558,982

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to detachable treads for heels.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a tread member for heels which can readily be replaced without the employment of a skilled artisan for such replacement.

Another object is the provision of a tread member for heels which is interchangeable between the right and left shoes, thereby rendering it possible to equalize the normally unequal wear of heel tread members.

A further object is the provision of a tread member for heels which carries no metal fastening devices such as nails which can protrude through the wearing surface of the tread mem her when the latter is worn down.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the specification.

Two preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the first of said embodiments;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereof on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. .3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the tread member of the said embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the second of said embodiments on the line 44 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of said second embodiment.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the heel construction includes a fixed heel member Ill and a detachable tread member II. A recess I2 of. substantially the same shape as the heel,

is formed in the bottom of the heel. Aifixed in said recess by means of screws I3 is a clamp M which conforms to said recess in shape and dimensions. The clamp is provided with vertically slotted, contractible walls I 5 which are turned back upon themselvesto form a hollow peripheral bead I6. A draw-in wire I! having hooked free ends is carried by said bead. A cam-faced lever l8 engages said hooked ends and draws them together thereby causing contraction of the clamp walls.

The detachable tread member ll comprises a tread proper 20 having a raised upper portion 2| which conforms in shape and dimensions to the space defined by the inner walls of said clamp, said clamp being adapted to accommo- 2 date and tightly hold said raised portion. A recess 22 in the concave wall of said tread portion 20 receives lever I8 when the latter is in depressed or engaging position.

The clamp performs two functions in this construction: by virtue of its gripping pressure it holds tread member I I snugly against heel member I0, and .by Virtue of its rounded but noncircular shape it prevents rotary movement of said tread member about its vertical axis.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is identical with the first embodiment except in two respects: The recess 25, clamp 26 and raised portion 21 are circular rather than non-circular in shape, and a plurality of inwardly projecting lugs or teeth 28 on the side walls of the clamp enter correspondingly shaped and spaced recesses 29 in the side of raised portion 21. In this embodiment, these teeth prevent rotary movement of the tread member relative to the heel.

It will be appreciated that the constructions thus described are but preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications thereof may be had without departure from the basic principles of the invention.

For example, the clamp may be provided with other non-circular shapes. The particular shape is not important as long as it is non-circular and without sharp corners around which it would be difficult to draw wire H. The construction may be reversed without any violence whatsoever to the principles of the invention by aifixing the clamp to the tread member and providing the heel member with a downwardly projecting portion which the clamp would be adapted to receive. The device may be made an integral part of the shoe at the factory or it may be attached to ordinary shoes by the ultimate consumer, as a worn tread replacement. 

